Nancy Mehl Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.

A: I live in a small town in Missouri with my husband, Norman, and our Puggle, Watson. He only weighs 30 pounds (Watson, not Norman), and he thinks he owns us. LOL!

We moved here 3 ½ years ago from Kansas so we could watch our grandchildren grow up. We love spending time with them and our wonderful son and daughter-in-law (who is a writer too)!

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

A:  When I was 45, cough…cough…years ago. I’d been an avid reader for years, had done some writing, mostly poetry. I was watching Murder, She Wrote one day and thought, “I think I want to be Jessica Fletcher!” (But without the high body count.) Of course, it took God confirming that this is what I was called to do for me to commit to the hours of work and dedication it takes to be an author. (And to allow God to develop my patience and ability to accept His timing.)

Q: Could you give us the highlights of your professional writing career including how you got your first writing break?

A: After having three books published by three small publishers, I was fortunate to finally get an agent. Janet Benrey told me about a cozy mystery book club being started by Barbour Publishing. I wrote a proposal, and it was accepted! That was my “jump up and down and scream” moment.

After writing quite a few books for Barbour, I was approached by Bethany House and signed with them for a Mennonite-themed suspense series. After writing two series, I asked if we could switch to law-enforcement suspense. They said yes, and now I’m writing my Defenders of Justice series. I love writing these books! I also write cozy mystery for Guideposts, so I have the best of both worlds. Mystery and suspense! I couldn’t be happier.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release Dark Deception?

A: Kate O’Brien has been leading a quiet life in small-town Shelter Cove, Arkansas, for the past four years when her past suddenly comes roaring back to life. Four years ago, she and her twin sister were attacked by an elusive serial killer. Only Kate survived, and it was her eye-witness testimony–along with some last-minute evidence–that convicted the suspect.

She’s been in witness protection ever since, but new evidence suggests the convicted man isn’t the murderer and she’s been subpoenaed to testify in the new trial. Nervous about the risk, she’ll only agree if the same Marshal who protected her during the original trial escorts her to St. Louis.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Tony DeLuca accepts the assignment to bring Kate to the trial, remembering how her strength impressed him. While in Shelter Cove, however, he gets a call from his chief, advising them to stay in Shelter Cove until a new development in the case can be straightened out. But when Kate’s safety is threatened, Tony must race against the clock to keep her alive and put this ugly case to rest before anyone else gets killed.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for Dark Deception?

A: You know, I get asked this question a lot, and the answer is…I have no idea. The only thought in my mind before I started writing the original synopsis was that I wanted the chance to write about a serial killer – something I’d been wanting to do for a long time. The story just evolved from there. To be honest, so far, I’ve never had a hard time coming up with ideas for stories. I credit God for that completely. I believe that when He calls you to something, He will give you what you need to carry it out.

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?

A: I want them to enjoy the story, but there is an underlying message that has to do with suicide. At one time, Kate considered ending her life. I try to show how foolish this is. God has a plan for our lives – and it’s a good one. At our lowest, the answer is to give up…to Him. Not to suicide. God can create a beautiful life for you if you’ll just give Him the chance.

The book is dedicated to Peter Marsh, a young man loved by our family. One of my son’s best friends. Peter took his life when he was a teenager. He was bright, funny and extraordinary. It is a tragedy that still haunts us. The night I had to tell my son, Danny, about Peter, was one of the worst moments of my life. I don’t know how long it took me to get the words out, but for a while, all I could do was sit there and cry.

My prayer is that someone out there will hear something that will encourage them to give God a chance. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done or what’s happened to you – God can and will give you beauty for your ashes. But first, you have to be willing to let go of the ashes. That can be harder than it sounds, but if you can do it, you’ll never be sorry.

Q: What inspires you to write?

A: I have a humorous answer to this question. I always say “deadlines.” They are a bit scary. LOL! But the more serious answer is that God called me to write. It’s part of who I am, and I can’t imagine not writing.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?

A: I just finished the third book in my Defenders of Justice series, Blind Betrayal. I’m not sure yet what my next series will look like, whether it will be a continuation of the Defenders series or if I’ll be going in another direction. I’m fairly sure it will stay focused on law enforcement – something I’m passionate about.

I’ve also been writing cozy mysteries for Guideposts and am just now getting ready to write a cozy mystery for Annie’s Attic, so I’m keeping busy!

Q: When you’re not writing what do you like to do?

A: I love spending time with my son, my daughter-in-law, and my two grandsons. I also read, watch TV (I love British mysteries!), and I do some embroidery. My husband and I go to yard sales whenever we can. We really enjoy that.